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CSKA Moskva mindful of PSV's potential

"PSV is a talent factory," CSKA Moskva coach Leonid Slutski explained, his side aware that the Dutch side have regenerated since selling Memphis Depay in the summer.

Leonid Slutski is taking little comfort from Memphis Depay's departure
Leonid Slutski is taking little comfort from Memphis Depay's departure ©Getty Images
  • CSKA Moskva await final medical ruling on three doubtful players
  • Leonid Slutski mindful of PSV's array of young talent
  • "It will be a difficult and interesting match," says CSKA boss
  • Luuk de Jong ruled out with ankle ligament injury suffered on Saturday
  • Phillip Cocu says that "should not have an effect on our attacking play"
  • Vasili Berezutski and Igor Akinfeev missed CSKA training but Roman Eremenko took part

Possible lineups
CSKA Moskva:
Akinfeev; Mário Fernandes, A Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Wernbloom, Tošić, Natcho, Dzagoev; Musa, Doumbia.
Doubtful: Akinfeev (knee), V Berezutski (adductor muscle), Eremenko (groin)

PSV: Zoet; Brenet, Moreno, Bruma, Arias; Schaars, Hendrix, Pröpper; Lestienne, Locadia, Narsingh.
Out: Willems (knee), Jozefzoon (knee), Koch (knee), Guardado (ankle), De Jong (ankle)

Leonid Slutski, CSKA coach
Memphis Depay was a big player at PSV last season and his sale might have unsettled the team. They will not have Andrés Guardado or Luuk de Jong either. We know PSV is a talent factory. Now they have a new batch of young players with great individual skills. It will be a difficult and interesting match.

PSV are going well in their league – 14 points from seven games. They beat Manchester United, the league leaders in England, so they should not be underestimated. This is a very important game, because our result on matchday one [a 1-0 defeat at Wolfsburg] was not satisfactory. We fully understand the importance of Champions League matches. We have worked so hard to get to the group stage, so underestimating our opponents is out of the question.

PSV beat Manchester United last time out
PSV beat Manchester United last time out©Getty Images

Phillip Cocu, PSV coach
CSKA are a very good side with a good squad of players and they are a well-organised outfit. We will try to play as well in this match as we did in our first group game. All clubs are different and it is impossible to compare one team with another. You can play well and not get the desired result. It is impossible to compare CSKA, Dinamo and Zenit – Wednesday's match will show how ready we are for this challenge.

The loss of De Jong should not have an effect on our attacking play. His replacement has all the necessary qualities. Unfortunately, not many people know about CSKA in the Netherlands, but we have watched some of their latest matches and have compiled some information. All the teams in the group are of roughly the same standard. Every mistake could have a bearing on the match and could cost the team that makes them dearly.

Weekend results
CSKA Moskva 1-1 Lokomotiv Moskva (Doumbia 16pen; Niasse 21pen)
CSKA remain unbeaten in the Russian Premier League but were held by their Moscow rivals as the clubs traded penalties, meaning leaders CSKA remain five points ahead of second-placed Lokomotiv.

PSV Eindhoven 2-1 NEC Nijmegen (De Jong 38, Locadia 76; Santos 63pen)
Jürgen Locadia scored with 14 minutes left to give PSV victory and keep them within five points of leaders Ajax.

Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
CSKA Moskva: DWWLDW
PSV: WWLWWW

Reporter's view: Richard van Poortvliet (@UEFAcomRichVP)
CSKA's injury concerns only serve to make their task harder; after all, they know victory is crucial following defeat by Wolfsburg on matchday one. Furthermore, PSV will be buoyant having beaten Manchester United last time out – it promises to be a tough night for the Army Men.

Did you know?
PSV beat CSKA home and away in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage; our match background has more.

Guide to watching football at CSKA Moskva